Wigwam Motel
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For the 1860 Republican National Convention Headquarters see Wigwam (Chicago). For other uses see Wigwam (disambiguation).
The 15 concrete and steel "wigwams" known as the Wigwam Motel, are distinctive landmarks on historic Route 66, and are still visible from the current Interstate 40 as it passes through Holbrook, AZ. The motel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 2, 2002 under the official designation of Wigwam Village #6.
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[edit] History
Built in 1950 by Arizona motel owner Chester E. Lewis, the plans were based on the original Wigwam Village built in Cave City, KY in 1936 by Frank Redford. Redford applied for a patent on the ornamental design of the building on December 17, 1935, and was granted Design Patent 98,617 on February 18, 1936. The original drawing includes four prominent swastikas displayed encircling the building above each doorway.
Lewis first became aware of the distinctive wigwam designs when he was passing through Cave City in 1938. He purchased the rights to Redford's design, as well as the right to use the name "Wigwam Village" in a novel royalty agreement: coin operated radios would be installed in Lewis' Wigwam Village, and every dime inserted for 30 minutes of play would be sent to Redford as payment.
Seven Wigwam Villages were built between 1936 through the 1950s, and Lewis' was the sixth to begin operations, hence, the designation as Wigwam Village #6. Lewis operated the motel successfully until closing it in 1974 when Interstate 40 bypassed downtown Holbrook. Two years after his death in 1986, sons John and Paul Lewis, with Chester's wife, renovated the motel, finally reopening it in 1988.
Fifteen concrete and steel teepees are arranged as a square with one edge missing where the main office is located. They are numbered from 1 to 16 (there is no teepee 13). The diameter of the base of each teepee is 14 feet, with each unit 32 feet in height. Behind the main room of each unit is a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. Current rooms contain the original restored hickory furniture, two double beds, cable TV and a window mounted air conditioner; there are no telephones or Internet access. Vintage restored automobiles from the 1960's and earlier are located throughout the parking area. Small green metal benches etched with the words "Wigwam Village #6" are scattered throughout the complex as well.
The Lewis family continues to run and maintain Wigwam Village #6. Chester's wife often shows up at 4:00 pm to open the office, and if requested, will fill a small ice bucket (there is no ice machine in keeping with the authenticity of the restoration) for customers. Near the registration desk is a small room which contains many of Chester Lewis' memorabilia (including a necklace of human teeth of unknown origin).
Nearby places of interest include Petrified Forest National Monument and Meteor Crater (Barringer Crater).
Wigwam Village #6 was featured in the second episode of Oprah and Gayle's Big Adventure on Oprah's TV show.
[edit] Locations
Wigwam Motel No.6
811 West Hopi Drive
Holbrook, AZ 86025
USA
Wigwam Motel No.7
2728 West Foothill Blvd
Rialto, CA 92376
USA
Wigwam Village No.2
601 North Dixie Hwy
Cave City, Ky 42127
USA
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps or Yahoo! Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Satellite image from Google Maps or Microsoft Virtual Earth
 RARE 1951 LINEN POSTCARD PUBLISHED BY CURTEICH, WIGWAM VILLAGE NO. 6 ROUTE 66 HOLBROOK ARIZONA, SCANNED BY POSTCARDPIGS |
 RARE 1941 CURTEICH ROADSIDE LINEN ADVERTISING MULTI-VIEW POSTCARD OF WIGWAM VILLAGE NO. 1 AND NO. 2 IN KENTUCKY, SCANNED BY POSTCARDPIGS |
[edit] Sources
- Allen, Joseph Baneth. "A Teepee Tradition" American Profile (Sep. 7, 2003)
- Levinger, Larry. "Wigwam Motel: get your kitsch. Via - AAA Magazine (May 2001)
- United States Patent Office, U.S. Design Patent 98,617 (Feb. 18, 1936)
